DOCSLIB.ORG

<I>Tritonia</I> (Opisthobranchia: Gastropoda)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
<I>Tritonia</I> (Opisthobranchia: Gastropoda) BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, 40(3): 428-436, 1987 A NEW SPECIES OF TRITONIA (OPISTHOBRANCHIA: GASTROPODA) FROM THE CARIBBEAN SEA Terrence M. Gosliner and Michael T. Ghiselin ABSTRACT The tritoniid opisthobranchs of the western Atlantic have recently been reviewed (Marcus, 1983). Seven species in three or four genera are known from tropical and subtropical waters of the region. Investigations by one of us (M.T.G.) in the Bahamas yielded specimens of what appeared to be an undescribed species of Tritonia. Subsequently, our joint investigations in Quintana Roo, Mexico have provided additional specimens of this species. This paper de- scribes the anatomy of this new species and compares it to closely allied species. DESCRIPTION Tritonia ham nerorum new species Type Material. - Holotype: Department ofInvertebrate Zoology, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CASIZ 061278, near La Ceiba Hotel, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico, on Gorgonia flabellum Linnaeus, 2 m depth, 27 March 1985, collected by T. M. Gosliner. Paratypes.-CASIZ 061279, 87 specimens, near La Ceiba Hotel, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico, on Gorgoniaflabellum, 2 m depth, 27 March 1985, collected by T. M. Gosliner. Paratypes.-CASIZ 061280, 14 specimens, Sandy Cay, Great Abaco Island, Bahamas, on Gorgonia flabellum, 4 m depth, 16 July 1983, collected by M. T. Ghiselin. Etymology. - This species is named for William and Peggy Hamner, who accom- panied one of us (M.T.G.) while collecting the specimens in the Bahamas. External Morphology. - The living animals (Figure I) reach IS mm in length. The notum is smooth, devoid of tubercles. The ground color of living specimens is light pinkish purple, the same color as their gorgonian prey. Extending the length of the notum are a series of approximately 20 opaque white longitudinal lines. The lines are irregular with some short interconnecting lines. The gills, rhinophores and velar tentacles are tipped with opaque white. The preserved specimens (Fig. 2) reach 11 mm in length. The semi-circular velum (Fig. 3) contains 2-3 pairs of velar tentacles, including the outermost, which are the oral tentacles. In some cases there are only two tentacles on one side and three on the other. The rhino- phores (Fig. 4) contain a series of simple or slightly pinnate digitiform lobes, surrounding the cylindrical apical papilla. In five specimens examined there are nine slightly pinnate gills (Figs. 2, 5) on each side of the body. There are 5-7 irregular lobes on the rhinophore sheath. The outer lobe is largest and triangular in shape. The anus (Fig. 2) is situated between the third and fourth gills, on the right side of body, ventral to the notal brim. The nephroproct is immediately dorsal to the anus. The distinct male and female gonopores, located between the first and second gills, below the notal brim, are well separated from each other. The anterior end of the foot is simply rounded. Digestive System. - The buccal mass is thick and muscular. Well developed oral glands surround the dorsal, lateral and ventral surfaces of the buccal mass. The jaws (Fig. 6) are thin and elongate with a long masticatory border, consisting of about six rows of acutely pointed denticles. The radula (Figs. 7-9) has a formula 428 GOSLINER AND GHISELIN: CARIBBEAN TR1TON1A 429 Figure I. Tritonia hamnerorum new species. Living animal. of 26-29 x 9-10.1.1.1.9-10., in three specimens examined. The rachidian teeth are tricuspid with an acute central cusp, which is often worn in older teeth. The lateral denticles of the rachidian are broadly triangular. The inner lateral teeth are hook-shaped, with an inner denticle. Their anterior surface bears 5-8 irreg- ularly spaced denticles. In older teeth these denticles may not be present, due to wear. The outer lateral teeth are sickle shaped and become progressively more elongate towards the outer margin. The elongate and strap-like salivary glands join the buccal mass at the junction of the esophagus and buccal mass. The esophagus is narrow, but expands into the stomach as it enters the digestive gland. There are no cuticular plates or ridges within the stomach. Central Nervous System (Fig. IO).-All of the ganglia form a mass on the dorsal surface of the esophagus and buccal mass. The cerebral ganglia are completely fused with the pleurals, and are closely appressed to each other. The pedal ganglia are separated by a short commissure. The buccal ganglia are ventral to the pedal ganglia and are closely appressed to each other. They are situated at the ventral surface of the junction of the esophagus with the buccal mass. Reproductive System (Fig. 11).- The preampullar coelomic gonoduct is narrow and expands into the short, saccate ampulla. The ampulla again narrows into the postampullar gonoduct. After a short distance the gonoduct branches into a short, narrow oviduct and a thicker, non-prostatic vas deferens. The oviduct enters the female gland mass near the albumen gland. The small membrane gland is adjacent and distal to the albumen gland. The large mucous gland makes up the bulk of the reproductive system. The receptaculum seminis is spherical and muscular. It joins the mucous gland at the female aperture by means of a narrow duct of moderate length. The non-prostatic vas deferens widens into a prostatic portion, 430 BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, VOL. 40, NO.3, 1987 Figure 2, Tritonia hamnerorum new species. Right lateral view of preserved animal; a = anus, f = female aperture, m = male aperture, n = nephroproct; scale = 2.0 mm. Figure 3. TrilOnia hamnerorum new species. Ventral view of head, scale = 1.0 mm. Figure 4. TrilOnia hamnerorum new species. Rhinophore, scale = 0.25 mm. Figure 5. TrilOnia hamnerorum new species. Gill, scale = 0.25 mm. which enters the proximal end of the penial sac. The short, rounded penial papilla is unarmed, and is contained in a conical penis sac. Egg Mass. - The egg mass, also visible in Figure I, is a white convoluted ribbon that is closely appressed to the surface of the gorgon ian colony. There is a single egg per capsule. Because the veligers have a well-developed velum, they are likely to be planktotrophic. The larval shell is type I (Thompson, 1961). Natural History. -Specimens have been found only in association with the gor- gonian, Gorgonia flabellum Linnaeus. In the Bahamas specimens were found on an attached gorgonian, while the animals from Mexico were found on a detached, but still living, colony. There were 88 individuals of Tritonia hamnerorum present on the single sea fan found in Mexico. GOSLINER AND GHISELIN: CARIBBEAN TRITONIA 431 Figure 6. Tritonia harnnerorurn new species. Scanning electron micrograph of jaw. Figures 7-9. Tritonia harnnerorurn new species. Scanning electron micrographs of radula. 432 BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, VOL. 40, NO.3, 1987 ____e pr 10 Figure 10. Tritonia harnnerorurn new species. Central nervous system; cp = cerebral pleural ganglion, e = eye, pe = pedal ganglion; scale = 0.5 mm. Figure II. Tritonia harnnerorurn new species. Reproductive system; al = albumen gland, am = ampulla, f = female aperture, m = male aperture, me = membrane gland, mu = mucous gland, p = penis, pr = prostate, rs = receptaculum seminis; scale = 0.5 mm. DISCUSSION The separation of genera within the Tritoniidae has long been the subject of controversy (Eliot, 1905; Odhner, 1926; 1963; Marcus, 1983). A variety of char- acters have been employed to separate genera, including shape of the rachidian radular tooth, presence or absence of chitinous plates in the stomach, division of the liver (digestive gland), position of the anus, gonopore and nephropore, and shape of the penis. Odhner (1963) attempted to clarify the systematic arrangement of genera in the Tritoniidae. He considered 8 genera with 4 subgenera of Tritonia. Marcus (1983) noted difficulties in clearly differentiating genera. Part of the problem is that different authors have utilized different characters to distinguish genera. Odhner (1963) emphasized that species of Tritoniella are characterized by digitiform processes rather than branched gills along the edge of the notum and have a mid- dorsal ridge. Species in this genus have an annulation on the tip of the penis. Marcus (1983) included all tritoniids with an annulation around the penis in the genus Tritoniella, including Tritonia festiva (Stearns, 1873) and T. episcopalis Bouchet, 1977. Tritonia diomedea Bergh, 1894, also has an annulation near the apex of its penis (Thompson, 1971, present study). These species have well de- veloped gills and lack a mid-dorsal ridge. It is likely that the presence of a penial annulation is due to parallel evolution of this structure in Tritoniella and in some members of Tritonia. Odhner (1963) distinguished Duvaucelia from Tritonia on the basis of the position of the genital aperture and anus. However, Tritonia hamnerorum new species and T. striata Haefelfinger, 1963 share characteristics of both genera. The anus is in the anterior half of the body (as in Duvaucelia) while the gonopores are GOSLINER AND GHISELIN: CARIBBEAN TR1TON1A 433 posterior to the anteriormost gills (as in Tritonia). Thus the separation of Tritonia and Duvaucelia cannot be maintained. The splitting of Tritonia into subgenera as advocated by Odhner (1963) is not supported by distinct morphological gaps or readily apparent monophyletic groups. Whether the penis is conical or flagel- liform has to be evaluated subjectively and varies considerably within and between species (Thompson, 1971; Marcus, 1983). Similarly, the form of the velum (bi- lobed or entire) and the notum (smooth or with small tubercles) varies between individuals of the same species and is correlated with fixation. Therefore, dis- tinctions between subgenera are artificial and unnecessary. All species of tritoniids with well developed gills, a tricuspid rachidian tooth and without stomach plates are here considered as members of Tritonia. This genus includes large, broad-bodied species such as T.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Diversity of Norwegian Sea Slugs (Nudibranchia): New Species to Norwegian Coastal Waters and New Data on Distribution of Rare Species
    Fauna norvegica 2013 Vol. 32: 45-52. ISSN: 1502-4873 Diversity of Norwegian sea slugs (Nudibranchia): new species to Norwegian coastal waters and new data on distribution of rare species Jussi Evertsen1 and Torkild Bakken1 Evertsen J, Bakken T. 2013. Diversity of Norwegian sea slugs (Nudibranchia): new species to Norwegian coastal waters and new data on distribution of rare species. Fauna norvegica 32: 45-52. A total of 5 nudibranch species are reported from the Norwegian coast for the first time (Doridoxa ingolfiana, Goniodoris castanea, Onchidoris sparsa, Eubranchus rupium and Proctonotus mucro- niferus). In addition 10 species that can be considered rare in Norwegian waters are presented with new information (Lophodoris danielsseni, Onchidoris depressa, Palio nothus, Tritonia griegi, Tritonia lineata, Hero formosa, Janolus cristatus, Cumanotus beaumonti, Berghia norvegica and Calma glau- coides), in some cases with considerable changes to their distribution. These new results present an update to our previous extensive investigation of the nudibranch fauna of the Norwegian coast from 2005, which now totals 87 species. An increase in several new species to the Norwegian fauna and new records of rare species, some with considerable updates, in relatively few years results mainly from sampling effort and contributions by specialists on samples from poorly sampled areas. doi: 10.5324/fn.v31i0.1576. Received: 2012-12-02. Accepted: 2012-12-20. Published on paper and online: 2013-02-13. Keywords: Nudibranchia, Gastropoda, taxonomy, biogeography 1. Museum of Natural History and Archaeology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway Corresponding author: Jussi Evertsen E-mail: [email protected] IntRODUCTION the main aims.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Species of <I>Tritonia</I> (Opisthobranchia: Gastropoda)
    BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, 40(3): 428-436, 1987 A NEW SPECIES OF TRITONIA (OPISTHOBRANCHIA: GASTROPODA) FROM THE CARIBBEAN SEA Terrence M. Gosliner and Michael T. Ghiselin ABSTRACT The tritoniid opisthobranchs of the western Atlantic have recently been reviewed (Marcus, 1983). Seven species in three or four genera are known from tropical and subtropical waters of the region. Investigations by one of us (M.T.G.) in the Bahamas yielded specimens of what appeared to be an undescribed species of Tritonia. Subsequently, our joint investigations in Quintana Roo, Mexico have provided additional specimens of this species. This paper de- scribes the anatomy of this new species and compares it to closely allied species. DESCRIPTION Tritonia ham nerorum new species Type Material. - Holotype: Department ofInvertebrate Zoology, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CASIZ 061278, near La Ceiba Hotel, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico, on Gorgonia flabellum Linnaeus, 2 m depth, 27 March 1985, collected by T. M. Gosliner. Paratypes.-CASIZ 061279, 87 specimens, near La Ceiba Hotel, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico, on Gorgoniaflabellum, 2 m depth, 27 March 1985, collected by T. M. Gosliner. Paratypes.-CASIZ 061280, 14 specimens, Sandy Cay, Great Abaco Island, Bahamas, on Gorgonia flabellum, 4 m depth, 16 July 1983, collected by M. T. Ghiselin. Etymology. - This species is named for William and Peggy Hamner, who accom- panied one of us (M.T.G.) while collecting the specimens in the Bahamas. External Morphology. - The living animals (Figure I) reach IS mm in length. The notum is smooth, devoid of tubercles. The ground color of living specimens is light pinkish purple, the same color as their gorgonian prey.
    [Show full text]
  • Elucidating the Neural Circuit Responsible For
    ELUCIDATING THE NEURAL CIRCUIT RESPONSIBLE FOR CHEMOTAXIS IN TRITONIA EXSULANS BERGH, 1894 _________________ A University Thesis Presented to the Faculty of California State University, East Bay _________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science in Biological Science _________________ By Samantha Zacarias May 2021 Copyright © 2021 by Samantha Zacarias ii Abstract The sea slug, T. exsulans (synonymous with Tritonia diomedea in the literature) is an ideal model organism for understanding neural pathways through which olfactory sensory information is transduced into a motor response. The goal of this research was to describe the chemosensory neural pathway, beginning with the olfactory nerves that relay information about odorant contact with sensory receptors on the rhinophores and ending with a motor response in the form of a change in direction of the slug’s movement. It was initially hypothesized that sensory fibers in Lateral Cerebral Nerve 1 (LCN1) that receive sensory cues from the rhinophores come into direct contact with the neurites of the potentially turn-inducing Pedal 3 Motor Neuron (Pd3). Microscopy results show that in all successful preparations, the fluorescent dyes introduced into LCN1 and Pd3 do not colocalize when imaged under confocal microscopy. A single preparation showed a <0.5µm distance between the two fluorophores while the remainder showed an average distance of 257µm ±193. It can be stated that there may be a monosynaptic connection between Pd3 and LCN1, despite the absence of extensive colocalization. Backfills done on LCN1 show cell body clusters in the pleural (Pl) and cerebral (Ce) ganglia with a single cluster of 1-3 cell bodies and neurites in the anterior medial edge of the pedal (Pd) ganglion in the neuropil near the commissure between the pedal and pleural ganglia Fluorophore injections of Pd3 have shown the axon exiting the Pd ganglion via Pedal Nerve 3 (PdN3) and sometimes show local neurites extending ventrally into the neuropil.
    [Show full text]
  • An Annotated Checklist of the Marine Macroinvertebrates of Alaska David T
    NOAA Professional Paper NMFS 19 An annotated checklist of the marine macroinvertebrates of Alaska David T. Drumm • Katherine P. Maslenikov Robert Van Syoc • James W. Orr • Robert R. Lauth Duane E. Stevenson • Theodore W. Pietsch November 2016 U.S. Department of Commerce NOAA Professional Penny Pritzker Secretary of Commerce National Oceanic Papers NMFS and Atmospheric Administration Kathryn D. Sullivan Scientific Editor* Administrator Richard Langton National Marine National Marine Fisheries Service Fisheries Service Northeast Fisheries Science Center Maine Field Station Eileen Sobeck 17 Godfrey Drive, Suite 1 Assistant Administrator Orono, Maine 04473 for Fisheries Associate Editor Kathryn Dennis National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Science and Technology Economics and Social Analysis Division 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 178 Honolulu, Hawaii 96818 Managing Editor Shelley Arenas National Marine Fisheries Service Scientific Publications Office 7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle, Washington 98115 Editorial Committee Ann C. Matarese National Marine Fisheries Service James W. Orr National Marine Fisheries Service The NOAA Professional Paper NMFS (ISSN 1931-4590) series is pub- lished by the Scientific Publications Of- *Bruce Mundy (PIFSC) was Scientific Editor during the fice, National Marine Fisheries Service, scientific editing and preparation of this report. NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115. The Secretary of Commerce has The NOAA Professional Paper NMFS series carries peer-reviewed, lengthy original determined that the publication of research reports, taxonomic keys, species synopses, flora and fauna studies, and data- this series is necessary in the transac- intensive reports on investigations in fishery science, engineering, and economics. tion of the public business required by law of this Department.
    [Show full text]
  • Taxonomic Revision of Tritonia Species (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) from the Weddell Sea and Bouvet Island
    Rossi, M. E. , Avila, C., & Moles, J. (2021). Orange is the new white: taxonomic revision of Tritonia species (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) from the Weddell Sea and Bouvet Island. Polar Biology, 44(3), 559- 573. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-021-02813-8 Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record License (if available): CC BY Link to published version (if available): 10.1007/s00300-021-02813-8 Link to publication record in Explore Bristol Research PDF-document This is the final published version of the article (version of record). It first appeared online via Springer at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-021-02813-8 .Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher. University of Bristol - Explore Bristol Research General rights This document is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. Full terms of use are available: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/red/research-policy/pure/user-guides/ebr-terms/ Polar Biology (2021) 44:559–573 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-021-02813-8 ORIGINAL PAPER Orange is the new white: taxonomic revision of Tritonia species (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) from the Weddell Sea and Bouvet Island Maria Eleonora Rossi1,2 · Conxita Avila3 · Juan Moles4,5 Received: 9 December 2019 / Revised: 22 January 2021 / Accepted: 27 January 2021 / Published online: 22 February 2021 © The Author(s) 2021 Abstract Among nudibranch molluscs, the family Tritoniidae gathers taxa with an uncertain phylogenetic position, such as some species of the genus Tritonia Cuvier, 1798. Currently, 37 valid species belong to this genus and only three of them are found in the Southern Ocean, namely T.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mitochondrial Genomes of the Nudibranch Mollusks, Melibe Leonina and Tritonia Diomedea, and Their Impact on Gastropod Phylogeny
    RESEARCH ARTICLE The Mitochondrial Genomes of the Nudibranch Mollusks, Melibe leonina and Tritonia diomedea, and Their Impact on Gastropod Phylogeny Joseph L. Sevigny1, Lauren E. Kirouac1¤a, William Kelley Thomas2, Jordan S. Ramsdell2, Kayla E. Lawlor1, Osman Sharifi3, Simarvir Grewal3, Christopher Baysdorfer3, Kenneth Curr3, Amanda A. Naimie1¤b, Kazufusa Okamoto2¤c, James A. Murray3, James 1* a11111 M. Newcomb 1 Department of Biology and Health Science, New England College, Henniker, New Hampshire, United States of America, 2 Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, United States of America, 3 Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, California, United States of America ¤a Current address: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science University, Manchester, New Hampshire, United States of America OPEN ACCESS ¤b Current address: Achievement First Hartford Academy, Hartford, Connecticut, United States of America ¤c Current address: Defense Forensic Science Center, Forest Park, Georgia, United States of America Citation: Sevigny JL, Kirouac LE, Thomas WK, * [email protected] Ramsdell JS, Lawlor KE, Sharifi O, et al. (2015) The Mitochondrial Genomes of the Nudibranch Mollusks, Melibe leonina and Tritonia diomedea, and Their Impact on Gastropod Phylogeny. PLoS ONE 10(5): Abstract e0127519. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0127519 The phylogenetic relationships among certain groups of gastropods have remained unre- Academic Editor: Bi-Song Yue, Sichuan University, CHINA solved in recent studies, especially in the diverse subclass Opisthobranchia, where nudi- branchs have been poorly represented. Here we present the complete mitochondrial Received: January 28, 2015 genomes of Melibe leonina and Tritonia diomedea (more recently named T.
    [Show full text]
  • Neuronal Responses to Water Flow in the Marine Slug Tritonia Diomedea
    Page 1 of 10 Impulse: The Premier Journal for Undergraduate Publications in the Neurosciences. 2005 Neuronal Responses to Water Flow in the Marine Slug Tritonia diomedea Jeffry S. Blackwell, James A. Murray Department of Biology, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR, 72035 The marine slug Tritonia diomedea must cerebral ganglion where the nerve enters the rely on its ability to touch and smell in order brain. The medial and lateral branches of to navigate because it is blind. The primary CeN2 were backfilled for comparison of the factor that influences its crawling direction pattern of cells from each nerve. A map of is the direction of water flow (caused by the cells innervated by latCeN2 reveals the tides in nature). The sensory cells that location of the stained cells. Extracellular detect flow and determine flow direction recording from latCeN2 revealed its have not been identified. The lateral branch involvement in the detection of water flow of Cerebral Nerve 2 (latCeN2) has been and orientation. The nerve becomes active identified as the nerve that carries sensory in response to water flow stimulation. axons to the brain from the flow receptors in Intracellular recordings of the electrical the oral tentacles. Backfilling this nerve to activity of these cells in a live animal will be the brain resulted in the labeling of a number the next step to determine if these cells are of cells located throughout the brain. Most the flow receptors. of the labeled cells are concentrated in the Key Words: rheotaxis, navigation, tidal orientation, flow receptors, Nudibranchia, Gastropoda ______________________________________________________________________________ Introduction have their neural connections to the brain been characterized.
    [Show full text]
  • Evaluating a Potential Relict Arctic Invertebrate and Algal Community on the West Side of Cook Inlet
    Evaluating a Potential Relict Arctic Invertebrate and Algal Community on the West Side of Cook Inlet Nora R. Foster Principal Investigator Additional Researchers: Dennis Lees Sandra C. Lindstrom Sue Saupe Final Report OCS Study MMS 2010-005 November 2010 This study was funded in part by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) through Cooperative Agreement No. 1435-01-02-CA-85294, Task Order No. 37357, between BOEMRE, Alaska Outer Continental Shelf Region, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. This report, OCS Study MMS 2010-005, is available from the Coastal Marine Institute (CMI), School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220. Electronic copies can be downloaded from the MMS website at www.mms.gov/alaska/ref/akpubs.htm. Hard copies are available free of charge, as long as the supply lasts, from the above address. Requests may be placed with Ms. Sharice Walker, CMI, by phone (907) 474-7208, by fax (907) 474-7204, or by email at [email protected]. Once the limited supply is gone, copies will be available from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161, or may be inspected at selected Federal Depository Libraries. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government. Evaluating a Potential Relict Arctic Invertebrate and Algal Community on the West Side of Cook Inlet Nora R.
    [Show full text]
  • Tritonia Nilsodhneri Marcus Ev., 1983 (Gastropoda, Heterobranchia
    ISSN: 0001-5113 ACTA ADRIAT., ORIGINAL SCIENTIFIC PAPER AADRAY 58(2): 261 - 270, 2017 Tritonia nilsodhneri Marcus Ev., 1983 (Gastropoda, Heterobranchia, Tritoniidae): first records for the Adriatic Sea and new data on ecology and distribution of Mediterranean populations Giulia FURFARO1*, Egidio TRAINITO2, Franco DE LORENZI3, Marco FANTIN4 and Mauro DONEDDU5 1 Dipartimento di Scienze, Università degli Studi di “Roma Tre” Roma, Italy 2 Villaggio i Fari, 07020 Loiri Porto San Paolo, Italy 3 Viale Bassani 93, 36016 Thiene, Italy 4 Via Liguria 35, 30030 Martellago, Italy 5 Via Palau 5, 07029 Tempio Pausania, Italy *Corresponding author, email: [email protected] The nudibranch Tritonia nilsodhneri, usually feeding on a variety of gorgoniacean species, is known from different localities of the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Knowledge of the host preferences of the Mediterranean populations is still scarce. Few records of this nudi- branch have been reported from the eastern Mediterranean basin. With this report, the occurrence of T. nilsodhneri within the Mediterranean basin is extended to the Adriatic Sea. Furthermore, the list of the host species associated to the Mediterranean populations for feeding habits is increased from two up to five. Mediterranean specimens of T. nilsodhneri were observed for the first time feeding and spawning on Leptogorgia sarmentosa, Eunicella cavolini and E. labiata. Finally, these last two Gorgoniidae species are also reported here as a new host species for T. nilsodhneri. Key words: Tritoniidae, Tritonia nilsodhneri, Adriatic sea, Eunicella, Leptogorgia, host specificity INTRODUCTION occurred with Tritonia odhneri Marcus Ev., 1959, a valid species living in the eastern Pacific The nudibranch Tritonia nilsodhneri Marcus Ocean.
    [Show full text]
  • UC Santa Barbara UC Santa Barbara Previously Published Works
    UC Santa Barbara UC Santa Barbara Previously Published Works Title Stealthy slugs and communicating corals: polyp withdrawal by an aggregating soft coral in response to injured neighbors Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0hr1s0zs Journal Canadian Journal of Zoology-Revue Canadienne de Zoologie, 84(1) ISSN 0008-4301 Author Goddard, JHR Publication Date 2006 Peer reviewed eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California 66 Stealthy slugs and communicating corals: polyp withdrawal by an aggregating soft coral in response to injured neighbors Jeffrey H.R. Goddard Abstract: The polyps of Discophyton rudyi (Verseveldt and van Ofwegen, 1992), a small, aggregating, alcyonacean soft coral found on rocky shores in the northeast Pacific Ocean, are selectively preyed on by the nudibranch Tritonia festiva (Stearns, 1873). In the laboratory, D. rudyi retracted their polyps when exposed to water-borne cues from a conspecific colony that was successfully attacked by T. festiva. This same inter-colony response was elicited by attacks simulated with fine scissors, but not by (i) the presence of T. festiva attempting to feed but prevented from damaging its prey, (ii) the simple withdrawal of the soft coral polyps, or (iii) seawater controls. The cue(s) eliciting polyp retrac- tion therefore emanate from the soft coral and not its nudibranch predator. Tritonia festiva often attacks neighboring colonies, which are usually separated by only a few millimetres, in rapid succession but will not attack colonies with retracted polyps. It also cannot move rapidly to reach more distant colonies. Therefore, polyp retraction by one colony in response to predation on a neighboring colony effectively serves as an anti-predatory alarm response.
    [Show full text]
  • Intertidal Fauna of Lundy. In: Hiscock, K. (Ed.) (1971)
    REFERENCES Boyden, C. R. B. (1971). Intertidal fauna of Lundy. In: Hiscock, K. (ed.) (1971). Report on the proposal to eastablish a marine nature reserve around Lundy, Marine Biological investigations 1971. Published by the Lundy Field Society 66 pp. Harvey, L.A. (1950). The granite shores of Lundy. Rep. Lundy Fld Soc., 4, 34-44. Hiscock, K. ( 1974). The marine fauna of Lundy. General Introduction. Rep. Lundy Fld Soc., 25, 16-19. King, P . K. (1974). British sea spiders. Synopses of the British Fauna (New Series) 5. London: Linnaen Society, 68 pp. Rep. Lundy Fld Soc. 27 (1976). THE MARINE FAUNA OF LUNDY OPISTHOBRANCHIA GREGORY H. BROWN Department of Zoology, The University, Bristol & PETER J. HUNNAM Dale Fort Field Centre, Dale, Have1/ordwest, Dyfed INTRODUCTION The opisthobranchs of sea areas to the south-west of England have received relatively close scrutiny in recent years. Advances in understanding the system­ atics and ecology of these animals have been possible as a result of numerous specimens collected by SCUBA divers. This has led to two publications which will be of assistance in the study of specimens from Lundy. Hunnam & Brown (1975) list and describe species from the Dale peninsula which is thought to be hydrographically 'downstream' from Lundy, while Thompson & Brown (1976) describe all valid species known from the British Isles with information on ecology and distribution. Future collections will undoubtedly supplement the Lundy List but it was felt necessary to publish at the present time as several new records for the Bristol Channel and one new record for Great Britain are included.
    [Show full text]
  • THE WESTERN ATLANTIC TRITONIIDAE Eveline Du Bois
    Bolm. Zool., Univ. S. Paulo 6: 177-214, 1983 THE WESTERN ATLANTIC TRITONIIDAE Eveline du Bois-Reymond Marcus Caixa Postal 6994, 01000 São Paulo Brasil (Recebido em 30.05.1980) RESUMO As sete Tritoniidae do Atlântico Ocidental são descritas e desenhadas. Os caracteres sistemáticos são discutidos e foram feitas lista e chave para os gêne­ ros das Tritoniidae. A distribuição de Marionia cucullata é estendida para o norte até o Estreito da Flórida. As novas espécies, Tritonia eriosi da Ilha dos Lobos, Uruguai, e Marionia tedi do Estreito da Florida são descritas e desenhadas. Tritonia odhneri Tardy, 1963, da Bretanha é pré-ocupada por Tritonia odhne- ri Marcus, 1959, do Chile. Propondo chamar a espécie de Tardy de Tritonia nils- odhneri, nom. nov. A Marionia cucullata Vicente & Arnaud, 1979 da Terra Adelie, tem processos velares simples, e placas gástricas não são mencionadas. Portanto não per­ tence ao gênero Marionia. Tritonia episcopalis Bouchet, 1977, é provavelmente uma Tritoniella devido à forma da ponta do seu penis. ABSTRACT The seven western Atlantic Tritoniidae are described and figured. The syste­ matical characters are discussed, and a list and key of the genera of the Trito­ niidae are given. The range of Marionia cucullata is extended northward to Flo­ rida Strait. The new species Tritonia eriosi from Ilha dos Lobos, Uruguay, and Marionia tedi from Florida Strait are described and figured. Tritonia odhneri Tardy, 1963, from Brittany is preoccupied by Tritonia odh­ neri Marcus, 1959, from Chile. I propose to call Tardy’s species Tritonia nilsodh- neri, nom. nov. The Marionia cucullata Vicente & Arnaud, 1979 from Adelieland has simple velar processes, and stomachal plates are not mentioned.
    [Show full text]